Without the efforts of Helio Gracie, Brazilian jiu-jitsu would surely not be what it is today. Very few of us would be training Brazilian jiu-jitsu were it not for his works. On behalf of The FightWorks Podcast and The Mighty 600,000, I offer our most sincere condolences to the Gracie family.

If you have any thoughts on the life of Helio Gracie that you would like to share, leave us a message at 877-247-4662 and we will include it in Sunday’s show. You can also leave a comment below.

UPDATE 5:06 PM PACIFIC: According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, the hospital stated Helio Gracie’s condition originally suggested pneumonia. Leukemia was discovered, although the article stops short of stating that leukemia was the GrandMaster’s cause of death. The funeral will be held at 5pm this coming Thursday in Petrópolis Municipal Cemetery.

6 thoughts on “Helio Gracie Has Passed Away”

i just want to give my condolences to the gracie family i never meet helio but i wish i could of, he will be missed by many of the jiu jitsu practioners out there.the jiu jitsu world lost an amazing person,father,and friend. we are going to miss you helio. sincerely chris ruiz

This is the saddest day in BJJ history. i was thinking about all the BJJ teachers and students around the world who will stop at some point once they hear the news and reflect for a moment on how important this man was not only for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but for Martial Arts and the way we think about fighting today.